Reserve supply for gasoline tanks and the like



Oct. 30, 1934. T. A. MELLON RESERVE SUPPEY FOR GASOLINE TANKS AND THELIKE Filed June 27, 1933 Patented Oct. 30, 1934 RESERVE SUPPLY FORGASOtINE AND TANKS Thomas A.Mellon, lfhiladelpliimfa. I Application June27,' 1933,.Serial No. 677,891

' Claims. (Cl.15846.5)

This invention relates to reserve supply devices for the fuel tanks ofautomotive vehicles andhas: for a particular object thereof theprovision of a device of this character which may be readily 5 appliedtoautomobile tanks without inany manner altering the presentconstruction, of the tank. important object of the invention is theproduction of a device of this character which maybe readily inserted inthe tank and will be retained in position by the tank cap and which is,furthermore, so constructed .that it is securely held against anypossible vibration in the tank which could result in damage either tothe reserve supply unit or to the tank itself.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device ofthis character which is readily manipulated to make its contentsavailable for use and in which'the necessary manipulations can becarried into effect Without the use of, lights,thus avoiding danger ofpossible explo slons.

A further object of the invention is the provi sion of a, devicewhich-may be readily and cheaply produced, will be efficient and durablein service,

and a general improvement in the art.

These and'other objects I attain by the construction shown in theaccompanying drawing wherein, for the purpose of illustration, I haveshown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through an automotive fuel tankprovided with a reserve supply device constructed in accordance with myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the filling end of the reserve supplydevice;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; U and Fig. 4 is a fragmentaryview showing a modification of the discharge end of the reserve supplydevice.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 10'generally designates a fuel tank having a filling neck 11 equipped withthe usual removable cap 12 at present shown as of that type which isthreaded upon the filling neck.

The upper end of the filling neck has the usual out-turned seatingflange 13 with which the cap usually contacts when fully closed.

In accordance with my invention, I provide an arcuately bent tube 14preferably slightly flexible in nature and having one end thereof closedwith the exception of a small discharge opening 15. The opposite end ofthe tube has attached thereto an adapting ring 16 which may be securedto the tube in any suitable manner as, for example, by riveting orspotwelding, as indicated at 17. The tubeattachment is of such characterthat the mouth 18 of the tube is located slightly below the adapter 16and slightly to one side of the center thereof so that while thismouthis disposed to receive liquid fuel entering the tank 10 through theadapter, it will not interfere with the passage of this liquid fuel intothe tank proper, but will only receive that amount of liquid fuelnecessary to replace any lost contents as, for example, after use of itsreserve supply. The adapter is preferably split so that it may have acertain resiliency enabling its adaptation to minor variations ininternal diameter of the filling neck and it is preferably tapered asmore clearly shown in Fig. 3, so that a close fit is obtained only whenthe adapter is fully forced into the filling neck. The upper end of theadapter is equipped-with a flange 19 seating upon the flange 13 of thefilling neck to limit the possible extent of insertion of the reservesupply device.

To prevent possible damage to the tube 14 by contact therewith byfilling nozzles inserted through the adapter, a transverse stop pin 20is preferably provided'adjacent the lower end of the adapter and abovethe mouth 18. The mouth 18 preferably has an inturned flange serving asa dam to limit the splash of contained liquid in the tube 14 and tolimit the losses in event of transverse inclination of tank 10. The tubeis made of such length and curvature that the central portion thereofwill bear against the bottom wall of the tank 10 as indicated at 21while the discharge end is in contact with the upper wall of the tank asat 22, the tube at this time being under flexing strain so that anytendency of the same to move in the tank 10 in response to sloshing ofliquids contained either in the tank or tube will be prevented. Thissame spring tension will serve to automatically center the tube in eventit is slightly misplaced in insertion. This tenslon can be obtainedeither by flexing of the tube or flexing of a spring strip 23 associatedwith the tube. In construction of the tube 14, care should be taken tomake the curvature such that the point of contact 21 will be spaced fromthe usual drain outlet 24 of the tank 10.

In use of the device, it will be obvious that each time that the tank isfilled, fuel from the nozzle will enter the reserve supply device sothat the tube 14 is always assured of a capacity content. In event offailure of the supply of tank 10, the cap 12 is removed, a hook or pairof pliers inserted to grasp bar 20 and the adapter freed from thefilling neck, after which the tube 14 may be slowly drawn through thefilling opening and, as drawn through the filling opening, willdischarge its contents through the opening 15, thus providing a supplyin tank 10 sufficient to enable the operator of the vehicle to reach afilling station. The reserve supply. device having been returned to itsnormal position'will, during filling of tank 10, receive a new supply.It will be noted that a construction of this character em bodies novalves or mechanical parts requiring servicing or special ability foroperation.

Since the construction illustrated is capable of a considerable range ofchange and modification without in any manner departing fro'rn thespirit of my invention, I do not wishto be'un'derstood as limitingmyself thereto except ashereinafter.

claimed.

I claim: 1. In a fuel tank, a filling neck, an adapter removably securedin said neck, a resilient tube of less diameter than the neck secured atone end to the adapter and having said end open and positioned toreceive fuel inserted at the filling neck, saidtube extendinglongitudinally of the tank and having its opposite end vented anddisposed at substantially the same. level asthe adapter-attachedendthereof, the central portion of i said tube being bowed downwardlyand engaging the lower wall of the tank, said opposite end having suchengagement with the tank that the tube is resiliently stressed and heldagainst movement in response to movement of the tank contents.

the tube is resiliently stressed and held against movement in responseto movement of the tank contents, and a stop pin extending transverselyccifbsaid adapter above the adjacent end of the 3. The combination witha fuel tank having a filling opening, of a resilient reserve tube withinsaid tank and having an open end removably secured in said tank adjacentsaid filling opening to receive fuel introduced through said opening,said tube being bent and having its opposite end vented and inunderlying contacting relation "to a portion of the tank and its centralportion in overlying'contacting relation to a second portion thereof,the engagement of the central and last-named end portions with the tankresiliently stressing the tube whereby the tube is held vented and inunderlying contacting relation to a portion of the tank and its, centralportion in overlying contacting relation to a second portion thereof,the engagementof "the central and last-named end portions withthe tankresiliently stressing the tube whereby the tube is held against movementin response to movement of fuel in the tank, said tube beingwithdrawable through the filling opening, whereby upon partialwithdrawal thereof through the filling opening the vented end may bedisposed lowermost to permit escape of the tube contents through saidsmall opening. y v

5. The structure of claim}? wherein the securing means for the tubecomprise an adapter removably secured in the filling opening, saidadapter including a stop pin projecting over the mouth of the tube inspaced relation thereto whereby to'prevent contact with the tube of anozzle inserted in the filling opening to fill the tank.

